Unique (musician)

Last updated

Unique Salonga
Birth nameUnique Torralba Salonga
Born (2000-04-26) April 26, 2000 (age 24)
Manila, Philippines
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • Songwriter
  • Director
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
  • Keyboards/Synths
Years active2014–present
Labels

Unique Torralba Salonga, known mononymously as Unique or stylized as UNIQUE (born April 26, 2000), is a Filipino singer-songwriter and musician. He began his career as a vocalist and original frontman of IV of Spades and later pursued a solo career.

Contents

Career

Band frontman

2014–2018: IV of Spades

In June 2014, Allan Silonga decided to form a band for his son Blaster, who would become the band's lead guitarist. The Silongas were able to recruit drummer Badjao de Castro and bassist Zild Benitez, who are the sons of Allan's friends. Unique Salonga, who was already writing his own music, was later recruited to become the band's lead singer. [1] [2]

IV of Spades signed to a record label and released their first single "Ilaw sa Daan" under Warner Music Philippines.[ citation needed ]

The group's second single, "Hey Barbara" was released on July 9, 2017, and followed up by their third single "Where Have You Been My Disco?", released on December 9, 2017, via YouTube.[ citation needed ]

In 2018, the band released their fourth single called "Mundo". It became the group's highest viewed single on YouTube. The band's videos have over 100 million views on YouTube.[ citation needed ]

IV of Spades won the New Artist of the Year and the MYX Bandarito Performance of the Year and Nominated as Group of the Year at the annual Myx Music Awards. [3] The band also won Dreams Come True with AirAsia, the airline's search for the most promising acts in the region. The band performed with David Foster as part of their prize. They also won the Favorite New Group award at the 30th annual Awit Awards.[ citation needed ]

On May 4, 2018, Unique Salonga left IV of Spades in order to pursue a solo career. [4]

Solo career

2018–present

In 2018, Salonga released his debut single, Midnight Sky, under the label of O/C Records of VIVA. In the same year, Salonga released his debut album, Grandma, [5] and his first solo concert was held on September 29, 2018. [6]

He released his second album, PANGALAN: in 2020. [7] [8]

On September 29, 2023, Salonga released his third album, Daisy. [9]

Discography

Albums

List of Studio Albums with Selected Details
TitleAlbum DetailsRef
Grandma [10]
PANGALAN: [7] [8]
Daisy [11]

Singles

as Solo Artist

TitleYearAlbumReference
Midnight Sky2018 Grandma [12]
Cha-Ching! [13]
Sino2019 [14]
Lamang Lupa PANGALAN: [15]
Bukod-Tangi [16]
Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit2020 [17]
Mga Katulad Mo2021
Reality ChecklistNon-album single
Oblivion2022
Panahon2023Daisy

with IV of Spades

TitleYearAlbum
Ilaw Sa Daan2016Non-album singles
Hey Barbara2017
Where Have You Been, My Disco
Mundo2018

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNotable WorksResultRef.
201932nd Awit Award Best Cover Art"Grandma"Won [18] [19]
14th Myx Music Awards Male Artist of the YearUniqueNominated
Rock Video of the Year"Cha-Ching!"Nominated
20205th Wish Music AwardsWish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year"Bukod-Tangi"Nominated [20] [21]
15th Myx Music Awards Rock Video of the Year"Sino"Nominated
20216th Wish Music AwardsWishclusive Rock/Alternative Song of the Year"Sino"Won [22]
Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year"Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit"Nominated

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References

  1. ↑ Gloria, Gaby (October 21, 2017). "IV of Spades is ready to boogie". The Philippine Star . Youngstar. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  2. ↑ Fernandez, Denise (December 1, 2017). "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band". Scout Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  3. ↑ "The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx | BusinessMirror". businessmirror.com.ph. March 22, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  4. ↑ "IV of Spades vocalist Unique Salonga leaves band". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ticketnet Online". www.ticketnet.com.ph. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "LISTEN: Unique Salonga drops strange new album, 'Pangalan'". www.rappler.com. March 27, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Unique Salonga unveils sophomore album Pangalan – listen". www.bandwagon.asia. March 26, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Unique Salonga evokes "simplicity, peace, and love" in surprise album, 'Daisy' – listen". September 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  11. ↑ https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/unique-salonga-releases-new-album-daisy-3oc-records-listen-september-2023 [ bare URL ]
  12. ↑ Bandwagon (July 13, 2018). "Unique debuts somber solo single 'Midnight Sky' – watch" . Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  13. ↑ Bodegon, Kara (September 3, 2018). "Unique shows his darker side with self-directed 'Cha-Ching!' video – watch" . Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  14. ↑ Bodegon, Kara (March 19, 2019). "Behind the Lens: Unique's 'Sino' – watch" . Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  15. ↑ UDoU (July 8, 2019). "LATEST DROP: Lamang Lupa by Unique" . Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  16. ↑ Losa, Rogin (August 16, 2019). "Fame is not what it seems in Unique's 'Bukod-Tangi'" . Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Unique Salonga drops new music video for 'Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit' - watch". Unique Salonga drops new music video for 'Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit' - watch | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". ABS-CBN News. July 23, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  19. ↑ "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019". Rappler. October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  20. ↑ "COMPLETE LIST: 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Nominees". Wish 107.5. December 14, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  21. ↑ "5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish 107.5. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  22. ↑ "The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees". Wish 107.5. October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
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